Iran has named a top diplomat as its new ambassador to Britain, a year after the two countries exchanged envoys following a 10-year rift, reported Iran News Agency (IRNA).

It said Morteza Sarmadi, deputy foreign minister for Western European and North American affairs, was named as Tehran's new ambassador.

Sarmadi replaced Gholamreza Ansari, a former charge-d'affaires in London who was promoted after the two countries agreed to exchange ambassadors in May 1999, according to IRNA.

Relations between Tehran and London have warmed slightly since Iran pledged in 1998 not to carry out a 'fatwa', or religious edict, calling for the death of British author Salman Rushdie for alleged blasphemy against Islam, reported Reuters - (Several Sources)